In a dramatic Game 3 of the first‑round WNBA playoffs, the Golden State Valkyries overcame a 16‑point hole to defeat the Dallas Wings 77‑73 and advance to the best‑of‑five semifinals against the defending champion Las Vegas Aces.
Williams leads the comeback
Gabby Williams was the catalyst, scoring 19 points and hitting a go‑ahead 17‑footer with 1:17 left on the clock. After halftime she poured in all but two of her points, showing poise under pressure. Her decisive basket put the Valkyries ahead for good.
Key moments and contributions
Early in the third quarter Dallas surged on a 9‑0 run, stretching the lead to 53‑37. The Wings’ star Arike Ogunbowale, who had set a playoff record with 45 points in the previous game, added 30 points this night, but the Valkyries kept fighting.
Veronica Burton supplied a double‑double with 16 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, while Tiffany Hayes contributed 18 off the bench. Kaila Charles hit a tying three‑pointer with 6:51 remaining, and Kiah Stokes grabbed 13 rebounds to control the boards.
Coaching drama and a crucial replay
With 13.1 seconds left and the Valkyries up by one, a replay review initially ruled the ball as Dallas’ possession. Coach Natalie Nakase, who had briefly fallen to her knees on the sideline earlier, successfully challenged the call. The review was overturned, confirming the Valkyries’ lead. After the final buzzer, Nakase walked off the court escorted by staff, holding her face as the team celebrated at midcourt.
Historical significance
This victory marks the second‑seeded Valkyries’ first playoff series win. Last season they became the first expansion team to reach the playoffs in their inaugural year, and now they have secured a berth in the semifinals.
Game 1 of the semifinals is scheduled for Sunday at the vibrant Ballhalla arena, where the Valkyries’ violet‑crazed home crowd will be waiting at the Chase Center.
Looking ahead
The Valkyries will face the Las Vegas Aces, the defending champions, in a series that promises high‑scoring basketball and intense competition. Coach Nakase’s pre‑game promise to “play the best four quarters of our lives” will be tested as the team seeks to continue its historic run.
Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.
